Convicted killer in Harvey arson seeks $8.4 million in lawsuit against detectives, witness

A former Marrero resident awaiting sentencing for killing four people, including his 19-month-old daughter, has sued the detectives who investigated the fatal arson fire and even the key eyewitness. Cyrus Casby, 29, filed the "prisoner civil rights" lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans on Thursday, seeking a jury trial and $8.4 million in damages.

They died in the second-floor bedrooms of their townhouse apartment at 1005 Tallow Tree Lane in Harvey. Cynthia Carto died from stab wounds, while the others were killed by smoke inhalation. Authorities say Casby doused the landing at the top of the stairs and set it on fire, trapping the family in the bedrooms.

A Jefferson Parish jury acquitted Casby of murder in 2008. Federal authorities investigated the case and charged him with arson affecting interstate commerce resulting in injury and death, and a federal jury convicted him in August. He faces life in prison.

In his lawsuit, Casby names as defendants:

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, which led the investigation. Casby wants $4.8 million from the office.

Bonnie DuBourg, a retired DNA analyst who handled evidence in the case and testified against him. Casby accuses the former Sheriff's Office employee of "malicious concealment," asserting she did not provide some DNA analysis reports.

Capt. Larry Dyess, who was involved in the investigation. Casby alleges he told numerous lies in aiding the conviction and committed perjury.

Sgt. Jeffery Rodrigue, who interrogated people during the investigation. Casby says he gave contradicting statements in the trials.

Keyira Gable, a Carto family friend who was sleeping on a sofa downstairs in the apartment. Casby says she gave inconsistent statements of what she saw and who she heard screaming. It was Gable who testified that she saw Casby fleeing the apartment, leading to his arrest within hours of the fire. He seeks $1.5 million from Gable.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, which owns the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona, where Casby was detained awaiting his federal trial. Casby does specify wrongdoing by the Sheriff's Office but seeks $1.9 million.

William Lo, whom he identifies as a psychiatrist, and Keca Charles, a nurse at the St. Charles Parish jail. Casby says his "mental health issues" date from his arrest in 2004, and he complains about the treatment he received in the jail. "As current as this ink dries, I still suffer," he wrote.

None of the defendants have responded to Casby's allegations. The case has been allotted to Judge Martin Feldman's court. Casby asks that an attorney be appointed to represent him in the lawsuit.